Our Team
Larry Howard
President & Founder
As President of Freedom Title, Larry Howard brings over 30 years experience in the title and escrow industry, and in-depth knowledge of the related construction and real estate industries to his customers and affiliates. Surrounded by a leadership team that offers over 80 years of industry expertise, and a company culture where the people really care about each other and about their customers, Freedom Title is a well-known and respected name in the states where their growing business operates.
Prior to his founding of Freedom Title in 1998, Larry’s extensive experience on all aspects of the title and escrow industry was repeatedly tapped to build and lead the operations, title and escrow, underwriting, and commercial and construction business development for the largest agents of some of the most respected national underwriting firms in the industry, including Stewart Title Guaranty and Chicago Title. Further, Larry has specialized expertise in the areas of foreclosures, tax sales, and construction and commercial underwriting.
Larry takes an active role in the title and escrow, real estate, and commercial construction industries. He recently served as the President of the Northern Illinois Commercial Association of Realtors, is an active member of the Commercial Industrial Committee for the Illinois Association of Realtors (IAR), and is a Licensed Realtor in the IAR and the NAR (National Association of Realtors). Larry also maintains the depth and breadth of his multi-industry knowledge as a member of the Realtors Commercial Alliance, Homebuilders Association of Greater Chicago, International Council of Shopping Centers, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, and the Justinian Society of Lawyers. Finally, Larry is an active member within the community at large, including participating in the Park Ridge Indian Guides, and receiving the “Heart of Gold” award from the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation.
Elyse H Spencer
Client Representative
Elyse H. Spencer, client representative, has more than 20 years of combined real estate experience. Upon graduation from college, she joined a law firm in the capacity of paralegal. The firm specialized in real estate law and was also an agent for a large residential title insurance company. Following that position, the remainder of her career to present has been concentrated in the title insurance industry. Positions held include title examination and clearance, closing services and a vice presidency for a very small northern Illinois title agency which duties required doing everything.
Her successful client relationships and business development are a direct result of her knowledge. Her strengths in her abilities to assist clients in all areas of residential, commercial and industrial construction escrows as well as title examination, title clearance and customer support during and after the closing process are appreciated by title insurance consumers.
Elizabeth Krinsky Lespinasse
Commercial Examiner
Liz joined Freedom Title Corporation in 2002. She is a commercial examiner and also performs underwriting duties. Liz has worked in the title insurance industry for 6 years as a residential and commercial examiner.
Prior to joining Freedom Title, Liz practiced law for 15 years as a sole practitioner and as an associate with the Chicago law firm of Righeimer Martin & Cinquino, P.C. Her areas of practice included general real estate matters, commercial litigation, mortgage foreclosure and bankruptcy mainly for the banking industry. As an attorney, Liz represented buyers and sellers in both residential and commercial property transactions.
She has served as an arbitrator for the Cook County mandatory arbitration system is a past member of the Chicago and Illinois State Bar Associations and currently serves as vice president of the condo association where she lives in the northwest suburbs. Liz earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin/Madison and her law degree from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.
Jim Novak
CFO
Jim brings 30 years public and private accounting experience to the controllership position. His diverse experience with accounting and information systems has helped him to renovate the reporting and processing capabilities at Freedom Title.
Jim has 15 years experience working in local, regional and national public accounting firms. During this time his focus was working with owners of small to medium size businesses to improve reporting and information systems as a tool for decision making. Jim was instrumental in the selection and installation of a computerized client accounting system at a national accounting firm. He continued along the same lines in private industry controllership positions using his experience to select and install industry specific accounting software applications and develop custom reports for ownership decision making increasing reliability, accuracy and efficiency in collecting financial information.
A former member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the Illinois CPA Society, Jim served on committees which developed standards for public accounting firms performance of non-audit reporting services.
He received a B.S. in accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Tony Perry
Title Examiner
As a Title Examiner for Freedom Title Corporation, Tony is responsible for handling the preparation of title commitments for commercial and residential properties. He also has a large role in the searching of taxes and land for many different properties.
Tony has been involved in the Title Insurance and Lending Industries since 1993, working on both sides. He started working in the Cook County Recorder’s Office handling recordings and retrieving copies of various documents for title searches. He took a position as a title examiner with Chicago Title, were he was trained and certified. Tony also has a large amount of experience in the closing and disbursement of loans. As for the lending side Tony has guided teams for a major lending institution in the closing and funding of loans for many different states across the country.
Jamie Howard
Senior Escrow Officer
Jamie Howard, senior escrow officer, has over 20 years experience in the title industry. She is well versed in residential closing and knowledgeable in FHA and VA RESPA regulations. She also has experience with 1st and 2nds closing piggy back, b/c paper and refinances.
With years of residential closing experience Jamie can put new buyers at ease in stressfully closing situations. Jamie has also helped coach new attorneys in understanding the “closing” routine.
During her “stay at home” years she was an active member of Park Ridge Community Women and Co-Chaired the annual Holiday Bazaar, volunteered as room mom at St. Paul of the Cross, and charter member of Faith Hope and Charity Guild at St. Paul of the Cross. Most recently she and her husband Co Chaired the annual Spaghetti dinner at St. Paul of the Cross Church. For the fall she is quite busy with St. Viator High School Football dinners on Thursday and games on Friday.
Jamie holds her degree from Western Kentucky University. Her major was in Business and a minor in Economics. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and was Panhellenic president her junior year. Ms. Howard came to Chicago after graduation and has enjoyed her years in the title industry.
Doug Rietveld
Residential and Commercial Closing Representative
Doug Rietveld is a full-time residential and commercial closer. Doug works hard to finalize your transaction with a smooth, comfortable, and pleasant closing experience. Whenever possible, Doug always does his best to address any problematic items before they arise at table. With so much going on in your life outside of our doors, we look forward to making your closing experience efficient and reliable. When not out in the field, Doug assists closing services with his knowledge of title policy, title clearance, funding, and scheduling.
Charlie Sullivan
